Bonham back in Chichester

Deborah Bonham plays a home-town gig when she brings her band to Chichester’s Chichester Inn on Friday, April 10 at 8.30pm as part of the latest Roots Around The World series.

The date comes as things continue to get busier and busier for the kid sister of the late Led Zep drummer John Bonham.

“We have been going out to France,” Deborah says. “We have been building it up slowly in Europe in the past couple of years.”

And then at the end of last year, Deborah did the Royal Albert Hall with her close friend, Bad Company and ex-Free frontman Paul Rodgers: “It was absolutely amazing. We had such a great time. It was just unbelievable, and we raised a lot of money for his charity (the Willows Animal Sanctuary in Scotland). It was one of the best shows I have done for a long time.”

Deborah also teamed up with Paul in July last year for a gig in Chicago, marking Bad Company’s 40th anniversary.

“Again, it was amazing. We just had one day to rehearse. I used a Chicago rhythm section that played with John Mayall and Buddy Guy. I knew those guys from a festival here. We went over. We had just the one day to rehearse and we just thought ‘Let’s do it!’ It was seat-of-the-pants stuff, but it was great! And then the Royal Albert Hall date came up.”

Whether Deborah will be able to get Paul back to Chichester, however, is sadly another matter. Paul played a number of gigs in Chichester at the old Venue, a venue he loved, but a venue which has now closed down.

“We were just gutted about the Venue disappearing. It was such a perfect place. Paul loved it, and we loved it. It was lovely for us, and now it is just a storeroom. When I think of the shows we had there, the love and the spirit we had in that place...

“We are definitely trying to find a new venue, somewhere in the Chichester area. There is nothing in Chichester at all, but possibly Goodwood or Southsea. It just depends on what we can find. What was so perfect about the Venue was that it was just the right size to be intimate without being stupidly small.”

In the meantime, the gigs continue to stack up: “We are just touring at the moment. I won’t be thinking about a new album until the start of next year. Basically, things have got a real momentum now. I am able to pick and choose what I do, and in France, they don’t really know my Spirit album yet, so we are working on that over there.

“I am backwards and forwards to Europe every month. We have just been to Marseilles, and then we start around the UK in April, and then I am back to France again in June and July. It’s great. It’s just constant. I love it over there, but from the practical point of view, nothing really beats performing at home!

“Sue Martin, who puts together the Roots Around The World gigs, works so very hard, and she really does a great, great job. I have known Sue from the old days, and it just feels right to support her venture in Chichester. The Chichester Inn is a great place. We have played there before. It sold out, and it was such a great atmosphere. It’s a great venue, and thank goodness we have got somewhere in Chichester for Sue to bring the bands.”

Tickets on 01243 783185. Deborah Bonham plays a home-town gig when she brings her band to Chichester’s Chichester Inn on Friday, April 10 at 8.30pm as part of the latest Roots Around The World series.

The date comes as things continue to get busier and busier for the kid sister of the late Led Zep drummer John Bonham.

“We have been going out to France,” Deborah says. “We have been building it up slowly in Europe in the past couple of years.”

And then at the end of last year, Deborah did the Royal Albert Hall with her close friend, Bad Company and ex-Free frontman Paul Rodgers: “It was absolutely amazing. We had such a great time. It was just unbelievable, and we raised a lot of money for his charity (the Willows Animal Sanctuary in Scotland). It was one of the best shows I have done for a long time.”

Deborah also teamed up with Paul in July last year for a gig in Chicago, marking Bad Company’s 40th anniversary.

“Again, it was amazing. We just had one day to rehearse. I used a Chicago rhythm section that played with John Mayall and Buddy Guy. I knew those guys from a festival here. We went over. We had just the one day to rehearse and we just thought ‘Let’s do it!’ It was seat-of-the-pants stuff, but it was great! And then the Royal Albert Hall date came up.”

Whether Deborah will be able to get Paul back to Chichester, however, is sadly another matter. Paul played a number of gigs in Chichester at the old Venue, a venue he loved, but a venue which has now closed down.

“We were just gutted about the Venue disappearing. It was such a perfect place. Paul loved it, and we loved it. It was lovely for us, and now it is just a storeroom. When I think of the shows we had there, the love and the spirit we had in that place...

“We are definitely trying to find a new venue, somewhere in the Chichester area. There is nothing in Chichester at all, but possibly Goodwood or Southsea. It just depends on what we can find. What was so perfect about the Venue was that it was just the right size to be intimate without being stupidly small.”

In the meantime, the gigs continue to stack up: “We are just touring at the moment. I won’t be thinking about a new album until the start of next year. Basically, things have got a real momentum now. I am able to pick and choose what I do, and in France, they don’t really know my Spirit album yet, so we are working on that over there.

“I am backwards and forwards to Europe every month. We have just been to Marseilles, and then we start around the UK in April, and then I am back to France again in June and July. It’s great. It’s just constant. I love it over there, but from the practical point of view, nothing really beats performing at home!

“Sue Martin, who puts together the Roots Around The World gigs, works so very hard, and she really does a great, great job. I have known Sue from the old days, and it just feels right to support her venture in Chichester. The Chichester Inn is a great place. We have played there before. It sold out, and it was such a great atmosphere. It’s a great venue, and thank goodness we have got somewhere in Chichester for Sue to bring the bands.”